Hamilton Truck Accident Lawyer

HAMILTON, OH ATTORNEYS FOR TRUCK ACCIDENTS

If you are involved in a commercial truck accident in Ohio, you are likely injured and confused about how to get the help you need. After you seek medical treatment, reach out to the seasoned Hamilton, Ohio truck accident attorneys of Kruger & Hodges right away for assistance. 

If you are a victim of an accident involving a truck and the truck driver was the party at fault for your injuries, it is important that you act quickly. Trucking companies employ skilled lawyers and personal investigators who will immediately begin gathering evidence to defend against your claims and prevent you from obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Fortunately, an experienced truck accident attorney can create a strong legal strategy to make sure that the responsible parties are held accountable for your injuries and that you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Let us navigate the legal process for you so you and your family can focus on your health.

For a free legal consultation, call 513-894-3333

TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

According to the NHTSA, there was a four percent decrease in fatal crashes involving a large commercial truck from 2019 to 2020. (5,033 truck accident fatalities in 2019 and 4,842 in 2020). The NHTSA further found that across the United States, 27 percent of fatal truck crashes occur on interstates, while 55 percent of fatal crashes involving large commercial trucks occur in rural areas. About 5 percent of all fatal crashes involving a commercial truck occur in a work zone, and most fatal accidents involving large commercial trucks occur in the daytime, on weekdays. Some of the more recent commercial truck accidents that occurred in Ohio include:

• In August 2023, a Jeep struck a semi-truck in Butler County on Route 38 causing four people to be taken to the hospital with critical injuries. 
• In March 2023, an overturned semi-tractor on I-75 North in West Chester Township spilled its load of tires across the road, causing several additional wrecks, with minor injuries. 
• In April 2022, one man died in a crash involving two commercial trucks on I-75 in Butler County. A Freightliner with an empty trailer was driving in the left middle lane of 1-75 when the driver of the Freightliner slowed, leaving the middle lane. The driver of a Kenworth, hauling aluminum coils was also driving in the left middle lane; when the truck in front slowed, the driver of the Kenworth swerved in an attempt to miss the Freightliner, but hit the back of the trailer, overturning the Kenworth and ejecting the driver who was pronounced dead at the scene from the vehicle.

Tractor-trailer accidents are also more likely to be involved in deadly multiple-vehicle accidents than other vehicles. A large number of deadly truck accidents in Ohio involve commercial truck drivers who previously received at least one speeding conviction. Many of the fatalities associated with commercial vehicle accidents also involve individuals who are traveling in passenger vehicles. For the purpose of these statistics, it is important to note that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines a commercial vehicle as large if its gross vehicle weight is greater than 10,000 pounds.

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RESPONSIBILITIES FOR TRUCK ACCIDENTS

After some car accidents, it is easy to determine who was responsible. Truck accidents, however, often involve much more complex analysis before deciding how an accident occurred and which parties are responsible. In fact, the severity of the injuries and the potential for more than one defendant are the primary reasons that truck accidents are much more complex than an accident involving two passenger vehicles. Anyone who contributed to a truck accident is at risk of being found liable in a court of law. Liable parties in a truck accident may include:

• The truck driver may be responsible for the accident if he or she was overly fatigued at the time of the crash, impaired, distracted, careless, or reckless. Truck drivers, like drivers of all types of vehicles across the U.S., are subject to many more distractions today than in the past. Cell phone use, setting or changing a GPS device, eating, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming instead of paying attention to the road and other drivers, can all cause serious accidents. 
• The trucking company could be found liable if it failed to properly vet the truck driver, or failed to ensure the driver was properly trained. The trucking company could also be found liable if it was aware the driver was exceeding his or her allowable hours of service. 
• The loading company could have failed to properly load a trailer, causing cargo to shift or fall from the truck. In this instance, the loading company would be partially liable for the accident. 
• Many accidents are caused by defective tires or brakes on commercial trucks. If this was the cause of an accident, the maintenance company could be partially liable for the accident and resulting injuries. 
• In some cases, a defective truck part could be responsible for the accident. If a defective truck part caused an accident, a product liability claim could be filed against the manufacturer of the truck part.  

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THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN OHIO

There are several ways in which accidents tend to occur in the state of Ohio, which include the following:

• Air brake malfunctions: Air brakes are designed to stop large trucks that are traveling at 35 to 40 miles per hour within 100 feet. Air brake malfunctions most often occur while vehicles are headed downhill because they weigh a great amount and are hard to stop. Unfortunately, when air brakes on trucks fail to work properly, there is an increased likelihood that a jackknife or other serious type of truck accident will occur.
• Alcohol and drug use. Many truck drivers rely on alcohol and non-prescription drugs to meet strict on-the-job deadlines. While some people only use drugs once or twice, other truck drivers go so far as to carry these substances in the cabs of their vehicles. These substances greatly increase the chances that a truck driver will be involved in a deadly accident.
• Distracted drivers. Countless truckers experience boredom or restlessness from spending long hours driving over similar-looking terrain. In an effort to make the time pass more quickly, truck drivers are known to utilize a number of techniques, many of which are distracting. Some of the most common distractions include talking, texting, or playing games on cell phones and playing music too loudly. When a truck driver’s attention is taken off the road, serious accidents often result.
• Driver error. Even though they appreciate the increased size and weight of commercial trucking vehicles, a number of truck drivers still operate their vehicles in a reckless manner. Dangerous driving behaviors can lead to truck accidents, as can driver inexperience.
• Equipment failure. Defective parts on trucks are rarely the responsibility of the driver, but equipment failures can still result in deadly accidents. In accidents caused by defective truck parts, it is often necessary to pursue legal action against a trucking company or truck manufacturer. Your truck accident attorneys in Hamilton, OH can help you determine who exactly is to blame for your injuries.
• Improperly loaded cargo. Trucks need to be loaded properly to avoid deadly accidents. This means that trucks can not be overloaded, packed in such a way that throws the vehicles off balance, or packed in such a way that the items on board the truck are not adequately secured. When items can shift or roll around during transit, the entire vehicle can tip over.
• Improperly maintained trucks. Commercial vehicles are often driven thousands of miles a week. For this reason, every truck requires routine inspections and repairs. When truck drivers operate vehicles that are rundown or not working properly, there is an increased risk of serious accidents.
• Speeding and overtaking other vehicles. The owners of trucking companies enforce strict deadlines for their drivers. In order to meet these tight deadlines, some truck drivers rely on going well above the speed limit. This can result in truck drivers losing control of their vehicles and causing serious accidents. Rushing also increases the risk of accidents involving fatigued drivers because, in an effort to arrive at their destination quickly, many drivers do not stop to take rest breaks.
• Rollovers: These accidents occur when a driver loses control of a vehicle and it either jackknifes or slides away. The momentum of these movements can quickly result in a rollover. Aggressively turning a truck can also lead to a rollover, particularly if the vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed.

These accidents can involve 18-wheelers, bucket trucks, buses, cherry picker trucks, commercial trucks, delivery trucks, dump trucks, fire trucks, garbage trucks, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, and utility trucks.

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WHAT MAKES TRUCK ACCIDENTS DIFFERENT FROM CAR ACCIDENTS?

There are a number of factors that make truck accidents unique, which include the following:

• Trucks weigh approximately 80,000 pounds and often more, which makes them 20 times the size of passenger vehicles.
• While there are regulations that exist to restrict the risk of trucks being driven in a reckless manner, not all truck drivers obey these laws.
• Insurance policies for trucks are much larger than motor vehicle policies. Given the great amount of money involved, insurance companies often do everything possible to prevent compensation from being paid to victims.
• Given their substantially larger size, accidents involving trucks have a much greater potential to result in significant property damage.
• While injuries are common in both car and truck accidents, they tend to be more serious when trucks are involved. Some injuries frequently caused by truck accidents include brain trauma, broken bones, severe lacerations, and whiplash. Consequently, the medical bills associated with truck accidents are often much larger.
• Accidents involving trucks are much more likely to result in the deaths of accident victims. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that there are approximately 3,000 to 5,000 fatalities each year due to truck accidents.

COMMON INJURIES DUE TO TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents can cause serious, even catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common types of injuries incurred by truck accident victims include the following:

• Broken bones are a common result of truck accidents due to the force involved. These broken bone injuries can be much more severe, causing the victim to have limited mobility for weeks, months, or perhaps longer. 
• Neck and spinal cord injuries can result in a number of painful and serious medical consequences. Many people who experience spinal injuries face difficulties with mobility and even paralysis. When a person suffers a spinal cord injury that is severe enough to cause paralysis, that person will likely be unable to ever return to work, perform daily tasks, or have the quality of life they had prior to the truck accident. 
• Loss of limbs is a common result of truck accidents. The loss of a limb can cause mobility issues, as well as emotional trauma, including PTSD and severe anxiety and depression. 
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s physical, mental, and cognitive health. A person with a TBI could require care for the remainder of his or her life. In addition to neurological deficits, victims of traumatic brain injuries can experience profound changes in personality as well as an inability to perform basic everyday tasks. 
• Burns and facial disfigurement can occur in a truck accident from flying glass, or from burns caused by a fire or chemicals that the truck was carrying. 

Some of the emergency services you might require following a Hamilton, OH truck accident include:

POLICE

• Hamilton Police Department
• 331 S. Front Street 
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 868-5811

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

• Hamilton Fire Department, Station 22
• 77 Pershing Avenue
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 785-7501

• Hamilton Fire Station 24
• 605 Main Street
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 785-7501

HOSPITALS

• Kettering Health Hamilton Hospital
• 630 Eaton Avenue
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 867-2000

• TriHealth Bethesda Butler Hospital
• 3125 Hamilton Mason Road
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 894-8888

URGENT CARES

• Hamilton Urgent Care
• 1 N. Brookwood Avenue
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 805-4499

• CareFirst Urgent Care
• 1492 S. Erie Blvd.
• Hamilton, OH 45011
• (513) 795-6890

EXAMPLES OF COMPANIES WITH LARGE TRUCKING FLEETS

• FedEx
• Holland
• Kroger
• Sysco
• US Foods
• Gordon Food Service (GFS)
• UPS
• Old Dominion
• Swift
• R and L Carriers
• Walmart

DAMAGES AND COMPENSATION SOUGHT BY TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN HAMILTON

Some injuries can impact an accident victim for years into the future. Some injuries even create challenges and permanent disabilities that last the rest of a victim’s life. These injuries can leave a person unable to return to work while simultaneously requiring intensive and costly medical care. Truck accident victims face mountains of financial damages, which is why it is important to reach out to our experienced Hamilton, OH truck accident attorneys for help in filing a personal injury claim.

Our skilled truck accident attorneys in Hamilton, Eaton, and Middletown can help you pursue compensation for several types of damages, such as:

• Lost current and future income as a result of injuries received in a truck accident. It is also possible to receive compensation for any reduced earning capacity you have suffered.
• Medical costs can range from one-time treatment to years of therapy or rehabilitation.
• Pain and suffering due to injuries received and the trauma of the truck accident. In some cases, physical injuries can also result in emotional harm including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Sometimes, when a truck driver is particularly negligent, it is possible to obtain punitive damages, which are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter others from engaging in similarly reckless behavior.

HOW TO RESPOND IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Truck accidents are overwhelming. Many truck accident victims are unsure how to best respond in the aftermath of the traumatic event. To avoid confusion in these moments, it can help to follow these steps in order to get the assistance you need after an accident occurs.

• Call an ambulance and the police immediately if anyone is injured.
• If anyone involved in the accident is still in harm’s way, make sure to move them to a safer location, if possible.
• Gather the names, contact information, and insurance details of the other driver and any other parties involved in the accident.
• Avoid admitting fault or attempting to negotiate matters on the scene because anything you say can later be used against you in a court of law.
• Cooperate with law enforcement at the scene of the accident. Provide an honest account of how you believe the accident happened. Obtain a copy of the police report.
• If it is possible to do so and you are not injured, take pictures of the scene of the accident and gather details from any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
• Even if you do not believe that you were injured in the accident, it is often still a wise idea to receive medical care. Many injuries do not show up immediately because of the adrenaline pumping through your system. Seeking immediate medical care will also help you pursue your personal injury case.

How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Lawyer for My Claim

At a time when you may be feeling overwhelmed as you deal with serious injuries and financial devastation, it can seem like too much to have to also choose an attorney. Hiring truck accident attorneys in Hamilton, OH is, however, perhaps the most important thing you will do following your accident. Big insurance companies will go out of their way to pay you as little as possible for your truck accident injuries. 

When searching for the optimal personal injury lawyer for your truck driving accident case, consider the following factors:

• Expertise: Opt for a lawyer with a proven track record in handling cases involving truck driving accidents.
• Feedback & Reputation: Research online reviews and seek recommendations from reliable sources.
• Communication: Choose an attorney who prioritizes effective communication and remains accessible for discussions.
• Resources: Verify that the lawyer possesses the necessary resources to handle the complexities of your case.
• Accessibility: Assess the attorney’s responsiveness and availability to cater to your needs.
• Fee Structure: Inquire about the lawyer’s fee arrangement and potential additional costs.

Once you have a strong truck accident attorney from Kruger & Hodges, you can focus your energy on healing, knowing your attorney will advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement. At Kruger & Hodges, we know you have many choices. We are confident in the fact that once you have spoken to an attorney at our firm, your choice will be clear. Call Kruger & Hodges—we always answer your call. 

OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF OUR SKILLED HAMILTON TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

The personal injury attorneys at Kruger & Hodges help people who are impacted by truck accidents navigate the various obstacles that can arise while pursuing compensation for their injuries. Our legal counsel is experienced in navigating cases involving commercial trucks. From start to finish, our legal counsel will remain committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation.

Call or text 513-894-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form